FirstFixCarpentryinPoole
The structural stage of a renovation, built to hold everything else that goes on top of it.
- Studwork, floor joists, roof timbers and framing, to structural standard
- Priced after a site visit: price work or a day rate for builders
- Floors and access protected, dust extraction used throughout
★★★★★Rated on Google
- 8 yrsIn the trade
- 2 yrsTrading as Bespoke Builds
- £5mPublic liability cover
- NVQ 2 & 3Carpentry qualifications
What this involves
What first fix carpentry actually is
First fix carpentry is the structural stage of a renovation: studwork for new partition walls, floor joists, roof timbers and any timber framing, all fitted before plaster, flooring or skirting go anywhere near the room. None of it is seen once the job is finished, but everything after it depends on it being square, level and sound. It suits a stripped-back refurb, a stud wall going up, or a builder who needs the timber structure right before the next trade follows on.
- We would rather not take on a first fix job than use timber or materials we don't trust
- Floors, driveways and access protected before anything starts, dust extraction used throughout
First fix studwork and joistsWhat working with us on a first fix looks like
Three stages, from the first visit to the sign-off.
01A visit before the quote
A look at the studwork, joists or roof timbers the job actually needs, so the quote is based on what is really there rather than guessed over the phone.
02First fix on site
Studwork, floor joists, roof timbers and framing fitted to a structural standard, with floors and access protected and the site swept at the end of each day.
03Signed off at the end
A final walk-round together before the job is called finished.
First fix on its own, or the full package
Some jobs only need first fix carpentry. Others make more sense as one job from studwork through to the last bit of skirting. The honest difference between the three ways it gets done.
| First fix only | Full renovation carpentry package | A general builder's own trades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | Studwork, floor joists, roof timbers and framing | First fix through to doors, skirting and architrave | Whatever the builder's own team covers |
| Continuity from studwork to skirting | |||
| Best when | You already have a second fix trade lined up | You want the same carpenter from stripped-back to finished | You want everything arranged under the builder's own contract |
| How it is priced | Quoted after a visit, or price work for a builder | Quoted after a visit, as one job | Set by the builder's own arrangement |
Swipe to see every column
What is included in first fix
Standard on every first fix job, whatever the size.
Studwork
Stud partitions built square and plumb, ready to take plasterboard.
Floor joists
Joists set, levelled and strengthened where a floor needs to carry a new load.
Roof timbers
Roof timbers repaired, replaced or added where a loft conversion or extension needs them.
Timber framing
Structural timber framing for extensions and outbuildings, fitted to the agreed drawings.
Site protection
Floors, doorways and access routes protected before a stud goes up.
Dust extraction
Dust extraction used throughout, and the site swept at the end of every day.
Pricing
What first fix carpentry costs
Priced after a visit, not a call
A first fix job is priced once the studwork, joists or timbers have actually been seen: what needs strengthening and what needs replacing. That is worth more than a figure that would not survive contact with the real job.
- Multiple site visits are normally undertaken, then a written quote
- Price work or a day rate for builders, whichever suits the job
Every first fix job is priced after a visit, because studwork, joists and roof timbers vary too much from house to house to price blind.
How a first fix job runs
The same eight-step process for every job, whatever the size.
Get in touch
Call or send the quote form to talk through the studwork, joists or roof timbers the job needs.
Talk it through
A rough scope and budget talked through, and whether it is a job we can take on.
Site visit and measure
A visit to see the structure, the access and what the first fix actually needs to deal with. Multiple site visits are normally undertaken to finalise all the details.
Design and materials
Pen sketches, drawings or AI-generated visuals, and the timber and materials agreed before anything is ordered.
Written quote
A written quote for the first fix stage, or a price-work or day-rate arrangement for a builder's team.
Booked in
A date confirmed once the quote is accepted.
The work
Studwork, joists, roof timbers or framing fitted, with floors and access protected and the site swept each day.
Sign off
A final walk-round together before the job is called finished.
First fix carpentry: the kind of work
Timber roof framing on a loft conversion, mid-build.
What Customers Say
Reviews from Google.
5.0
Sami K.
Excellent service, very punctual very tidy, craftsmanship above expectations. genuinely very happy to deal with Alex any time. Sincerely recommend this company it's very refreshing to see a trade person who is proud of his craftsmanship. He is really an artist did not leave a spec of dust Thank you Alex
Nick F.
Alex is fantastic, really diligent and a great guy to have help with a project. He has just laid a solid wooden floor for me. It looks brilliant. The trouble is I'm not sure it's such a great idea to give him a great review as it will make him even more popular and in demand
John B.
What a find a decent ,hardworking person who loves his trade and it shows in his workmanship absolutely excellent. Will be recommending him to anyone who wants any sort of carpentry job. On a final note very reasonably priced for the craftsmanship.
David H.
Alex built and installed our main gate and a side gate in top quality wood to our complete satisfaction and at a very competitive price. He is a very efficient young lad and we would highly recommend him.
CJ W.
Really happy with the bespoke builds carpentry. Great workmanship, clear communication, and the finished result looks amazing. Would definitely recommend.
Projects in Full
Two jobs Bespoke Builds Carpentry has worked on, written up in full.
What people ask before a first fix starts
Answered here, so nobody has to ask when we arrive.
Will studwork and joists mean a lot of mess in my house?
Floors, driveways and doorways are protected before anything starts, dust extraction is used throughout, and the site is left tidy at the end of every day.
What if the joists or roof timbers turn out worse than expected?
That is exactly why a visit happens before the quote: what needs replacing or strengthening gets seen and priced honestly, not guessed at from a phone call.
What if something is not right once the walls are closed up?
If something isn't right after we've finished, we come back and put it right.
More about first fix carpentry
First fix carpentry covers the structural and rough timber work that happens before a room is plastered, floored or trimmed out. That means studwork for new partition walls, floor joists supporting the rooms above, roof timbers where a loft conversion or extension needs them, and any timber framing the drawings call for. None of it is decorative, and none of it is seen once the job is finished, which is exactly why it needs to be right: a stud wall out of square or a joist not up to its span causes problems that only show up much later, in a floor that bounces or a door that will not hang straight.
A first fix carpenter working on a refurb or a new build is usually the first trade on site after the strip-out, and often the last to finish a stage before plasterers and second fix trades move in. Bespoke Builds Carpentry works this stage as price work or a day rate for builders and main contractors, and as a quoted job for homeowners running their own refurb.
Every first fix job starts with a site visit rather than a quote over the phone, because studwork, floor joists and roof timbers vary too much from one house to the next to price blind. Materials are agreed before anything is ordered, and the job is walked through together before it is called finished.
First fix carpentry: questions we get asked
Phrased exactly as customers ask them.
What counts as first fix carpentry?
Studwork, floor joists, roof timbers and timber framing: the structural carpentry fitted before plastering, flooring or skirting go in. It is the stage that has to be right before anything else can go on top of it.
Do you do first fix only, or does it have to be the whole job?
Yes, first fix can be booked on its own, for example by a builder or main contractor. Homeowners running a full refurb can also book first fix through to second fix as one job.
Do you work for builders and main contractors?
Yes. First fix carpentry is priced as price work or a day rate for builders and main contractors, and quoted as a job for homeowners running their own refurb.
Will my house be left in a state while the studwork and joists go in?
Floors, driveways and access are protected before anything starts, dust extraction is used throughout, and the site is swept at the end of every day.
How long does first fix carpentry take?
It depends on how much studwork, how many joists, and the condition of the existing timber, which is why every job is scoped on a site visit rather than a guess.
Other renovation carpentry services
If first fix isn't quite what your job needs, one of these might be.
01Second Fix Carpentry
Doors, skirting, architrave and trim, fitted once the first fix and plastering are done.
Learn more
02Structural Carpentry & Repairs
For a specific structural problem or repair, rather than a full first fix stage.
Learn more
03Loft Conversion Carpentry
Roof timbers and structural carpentry for a loft conversion, working alongside the rest of the build.
Learn more
04Extension & Timber Frame Carpentry
Timber framing and structural carpentry for an extension, priced as work or a day rate for the builder running it.
Learn more
Where we cover first fix carpentry
First fix carpentry across Poole and the surrounding towns, based in Broadstone.
Poole
Our primary town, at the heart of the 15 miles we cover from Broadstone.
Poole coverageBroadstone
Our base, and where every first fix job in the area starts from.
Broadstone →Bournemouth
First fix carpentry on refurbs across Bournemouth, east of our Broadstone base.
Bournemouth →Wimborne Minster
Studwork and structural carpentry on renovations around Wimborne Minster, north of Broadstone.
Wimborne Minster →Ferndown
First fix carpentry on refurbs and extensions across Ferndown, within our 15-mile radius.
Ferndown →Verwood
About 12 miles north of Broadstone. First fix carpentry covered here, within our 15-mile radius.
Verwood →Christchurch
First fix carpentry for refurbs and conversions across Christchurch.
Christchurch →A written quote for your first fix, after a proper look
Studwork, joists, roof timbers or framing, priced once someone has actually seen the job.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a price. No pressure, no hard sell.
Prefer to talk? Call Bespoke Builds Carpentry on 07960 671999